- President Donald Trump posted a lengthy tribute to the Queen after her death on Thursday.
- Biden has said he will attend the funeral, but CNN reports that the invitation to former US presidents is his.
- 2,000 people are expected to attend the Queen’s funeral on September 19.
The royal family announced on Saturday that Queen Elizabeth II’s funeral will take place on September 19, but who exactly will make the guest list is still up in the air.
The Queen died on Thursday aged 96 after a historic 70-year reign. Buckingham Palace had long planned for her death, at which time her son, now King Charles III, immediately ascended the throne.
The Queen’s coffin is being prepared to lie in state in Westminster Hall for four days before the funeral to allow the public to pay their respects. Officials estimate more than a million people will participate.
A state funeral is expected to take place at Westminster Abbey, where the Queen was crowned and married Prince Philip in 1947. Around 2,000 people, including European royalty and leaders, are expected.
President Joe Biden said Friday that he would attend the meeting, although he did not yet have details about the service. It is unclear whether former US presidents will make the guest list.
CNN As reported Friday, England will leave that decision up to Biden.
Former President Barack Obama has invited George W. Bush, Bill Clinton and Jimmy, “I’ve been told by a couple of diplomatic officials that he’s leaving Buckingham Palace alone,” CNN chief national affairs correspondent Jeff Zeleny said. Carter will accompany him to Nelson Mandela’s funeral in 2013.
“So there is protocol for US presidents to invite other presidents,” he continued. “Who knows, maybe in the spirit of forgiveness and giving to President Biden, he’ll invite Donald Trump on Air Force One. I doubt that will happen, but I expect some bipartisan delegation.”
Former President Donald Trump, on the other hand, was a fan of the Queen, meeting her on several official state visits during his presidency. After news of her death broke, Trump shared a lengthy tribute to the queen in a series of posts on Truth Social.
“Melania and I will always cherish the time we spent with the Queen, and we will never forget Her Majesty’s generous friendship, great wisdom and wonderful sense of humour. What a great and beautiful woman she was – there was no one like her!” He wrote: “God bless the Queen, may she reign in our hearts forever, and may God keep her and Prince Philip in constant care.”
Trump also shared several photos of him and the Queen smiling together during their visit.
Trump and Biden, on the other hand, may be at odds more than ever after the president said in a September 1 speech that “mega-Republicans” represent a danger to American democracy.
On whether or not Biden will invite Trump to the funeral, CNN’s Jake Tapper said he thought it would be a “smart” move for the president to invite him and see if he goes.
“I don’t think former President Trump wants to be in charge of Air Force One, and I think he’d probably prefer his own plane,” Tapper said.
